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Chapter XVI。
THE ESCAPE。
The ledge on which we rested was about forty feet square。
Back of us was a confused mass of boulders and chasms； across which I had e when I first encircled the cavern and found Harry。
In front was the crevice； guarded by the two massive boulders。
On the right the ledge met the solid wall of the cavern； and on the left was the lake itself； whose waters rippled gently at our very feet。
At sound of Harry's warning cry I ran to the water's edge and peered round the side of the boulder。 He was right； but what I saw was not very alarming。
Two rafts had been launched from the enemy's camp。 Each raft held three Incas…more would have sunk them。 Two were paddling； while the third balanced himself in the center； brandishing a spear aloft。
Turning to Desiree； I called to her to move behind a projecting bit of rock。 Then； leaving Harry to guard the crevice in case of a double attack； I took three of our four spears…one of which had made the wound in my leg…and stood at the water's edge awaiting the approach of the rafts。
They came slowly； and their appearance was certainly anything but terrifying。
〃Not much of a navy；〃 I called to Harry； and he answered； with a laugh： 〃Lucky for us！ Look at our coast defense！〃
One of the rafts was considerably ahead of the other； and in another minute it had approached within fifty feet of the ledge。
The Inca in the center stood with legs spread apart and his spear poised above his head； I made no movement； thinking that on such precarious footing he would have difficulty to hurl the thing at all。 Wherein I underrated his skill； and it nearly cost me dear。
Suddenly； with hardly a movement of his body； his arm snapped forward。 I ducked to one side instinctively and heard the spear whistle past my ear with the speed of a bullet； so close that the butt of the shaft struck the side of my head a glancing blow and toppled me over。
I sprang quickly to my feet； and barely in time； for I saw the Inca stoop over； pick up another spear from the raft； and draw it back above his head。 At the same moment the second raft drew up alongside； and as I fell to the ground flat on my face I heard the two spears whistle shrewdly over me。
At that game they were my masters； it would have been folly to have tried conclusions with them with their own weapons。 As the spears clattered on the ground thirty feet away I sprang to my feet and ran to the farther side of the ledge； where I had before noticed some loose stones in a corner。
With two or three of these in my hands I ran back to the water's edge； meeting two more of the spears that came twisting at me through the air； one of which tore the skin from my left shoulder。
A quick glance at the crevice as I passed showed me Harry fighting at its entrance； they were at us there； too。 I heard Desiree shout something at me； but didn't catch the words。
My first stone found its goal。 The two rafts； side by side not forty feet away； were a fair mark。 The stone was nearly the size of a man's head and very heavy； I had all I could do to get the distance。
It struck the raft on the right fairly； the thing turned turtle in a flash； precipitating its occupants onto the other raft。
The added weight carried that； too； under the surface； and the six Incas were floundering about in the water。
I expected to see them turn and swim for the landing opposite； but； instead； they headed directly toward me！
The light from the urns was but faint； and it was not easy to distinguish their black heads against the black water； still； I could see their approach。 Two of them held spears in their hands； I saw the copper heads flash on high。
I stood at the edge of the lake； wondering at their folly as I waited； they were now scarcely ten feet away。 Another few strokes and the foremost stretched out his hand to grasp the slippery ledge； my spear came down crushingly on his head and he fell back into the water。
By that time another had crawled half onto the ledge； and another； a blow and a quick thrust； and they； too； slipped back beneath the surface； pawing in agony； not to rise again。
Just in time I saw that one of the remaining three had lifted himself in the water not five feet away； with his spear aimed at my breast。 But the poor devil had no purchase for his feet and the thing went wide。
The next instant he had received a ten…pound stone full in the face and went down with a gurgle。 At that the remaining two； seeming to acquire a glimmering of intelligence； turned and swam hastily away。 I let them go。
Turning to Harry； I saw that the crevice also was clear。 He had left his post and started toward me； but I waved him back。
〃All right here； Hal： have they given it up？〃
There was an expression of the most profound disgust on his face。
〃Paul； it's rank butchery。 I'm wading in blood。 Will this thing never stop？〃
I looked at him and said merely： 〃Yes。〃
No need to ask when； he understood me； he sent me the glance of a man who has bee too familiar with death to fear it； and answered：
〃Another hour of this； and…I'm ready。〃
I told him to keep an eye on both points of attack and went across to where Desiree sat crouched on the ground。 I hadn't many words。
〃How is your foot？〃
〃Oh； it is better； well。 But your leg…〃
〃Never mind that。 Could you sleep？〃
〃Bon Dieu…no！〃
〃We have only raw fish。 Can you eat？〃
〃I'll try；〃 she answered； with a grimace。
I went to the edge of the ledge where we had the fish stowed away near the water and took some of it both to her and Harry。 We ate； but with little relish。 The stuff did not seem very fresh。
I remained on guard at the mouth of the crevice while Harry went to the lake for a drink； having first helped Desiree to the water and back to her seat。 Her foot gave her a great deal of pain； but instead of a sprain it appeared that there had been merely a straining of the ligaments。 After bathing it in the cold water she was considerably relieved。
I remained on watch at the mouth of the crevice； from where I could also obtain a pretty fair view of the lake； and manded Harry to rest。 He demurred； but I insisted。 Within two minutes he was sleeping like a log； pletely exhausted。
Several hundred of the Incas remained huddled together on the ledge without； but they made no effort to attack us。 I had been watching perhaps three hours when they began to melt away into the passage。 Soon but a scant dozen or so remained。 These squatted along the wall just under the lighted urns； evidently in the capacity of sentinels。
Soon I became drowsy…intolerably so； I was scarcely able to stand。 I dozed off once or twice on my feet； and； realizing the danger； I called Harry to take my place。
Desiree also had been asleep； lying on the raft which Harry and I had concealed along with our fish。 At sound of my voice she awoke and sat up； rubbing her eyes； then； as I assured her that all was quiet； she fell back again on her rude bed。
I have never understood the delay of the Incas at this juncture； possibly they took time to consult the great Pachacamac and found his advice difficult to understand。 At the time I thought they had given up the attack